Loving the Geometry Wars, Gauntlet, and SmashTV, and trying to wrap up Condemned so I can trade it; after that I'm going to run co-op through PDZ with the roomies so I can try to trade that off, too, and then wrapping up PGR3 so I can trade that. If you can't tell, I'm itching to try out some of the other stuff.

I've been playing 'how many times can I return my 360 to Microsoft until I get a working one' ever since launch. However, I've played Kameo and PDZ mostly, with a dab of PGR (as my first 360 ate the disc).

He did say puzzle ARCADE game, which may narrow the competition somewhat. That being said, I think I may actually like Zuma more than all the classic puzzle games you listed, although I'm slightly embarassed to say that I've never played a Bust-a-Move title or any of the Lemmings games.

And... Zuma's a Puzzle game? Really? What's the puzzle part? Trying to figure out which string to shoot the ball into? I've played Zuma, I just don't get the puzzle/strategy part of it.

Setting up chains, gap bonuses, holes through which to hit coins, etc. It's a twtichy puzzle game to be sure, but it you rely solely on your arcade prowess and ignore strategic planning, you'll never compete with the rrmortons of the world.

Well put, Caveman. And on top of all that, Zuma gives you two balls at all times which you can switch back and forth between. That means countless split-second decisions about which color to use where.

As for Hank's list, the only two that give Zuma a run for its money are Tetris and Lemmings. (Is Columns even a real game?)

Tetris is the grandaddy of em all and yo, I'll give that game mad respekt and crazy shoutouts til I'm blue in the grill. But the game design is always moving inexorably to your defeat with only your high score to measure your achievement. Now Zuma on the other hand, Zuma has real goals so you can actually, you know, *be victorious*.

Lemmings is a sentimental favorite and an amazing game... but it could get frustrating not knowing what to do. So I gotta give the edge to Zuma in which you always know exactly what needs doin'. I love the billiards feel and the strategy and the last second saves and the whole damn thing.

Zuma on the PC is a lot better than Zuma on the 360. The mouse is the only way to play your best.

I got bored with Zuma after about 2 hours - Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo? Now that's the greatest puzzle arcade game ever.

I also find Zuma to be boring. I'd love to see Super Puzzle Fighter 2 on XBLA. It could happen since Capcom is putting Street Fighter 2 on there. You know what I want on there? BUBBLE BOBBLE! The original arcade version with co-op play! Maybe expanded to 4 player, that would be hectic, but a hell of a lot of fun.

I play quite a bit of Madden, but rarely online. I only like to play online with people I know. I have NFS:MW but am pretty burned out on it right now, and I have yet to try it online. I will probably be playing much more online with some of the march releases (gr:aw anyone?)

And I'd have to agree with the Zuma addicts. I don't know how many times I've sat down with the idea to play a dvd based game and jumped into Zuma for what I thought would be a few minutes. A few hours later I'm still playing the darn thing. I'm pretty addicted to the whole arcade thing in general.

I just finished Quake 4 - yay for me - I'm going to be starting Condemned next. Then probably will play Kameo co-op at home at the same time, maybe, as playing PDZ co-op. I'm really trying hard to complete a few games at a time, and not try to have 6 going at once!

A question on Zuma though, for the experts: a friend is playing it and was going nuts trying to beat level 9 - finally beat the stage 9-5, and it said the stage was cleared, but then the next level that came up was level 4. Looking at the Achievement board, it shows level 9 as still locked - plus it shows another possible level after that (Secret Temple of Zuma, I think it was)...

Anyone know what happened - or how to get further? :?

Logged

Mytocles (MY-toe-cleez)

"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!"- I don't remember who said it, and probably neither do they...

I just finished Quake 4 - yay for me - I'm going to be starting Condemned next. Then probably will play Kameo co-op at home at the same time, maybe, as playing PDZ co-op. I'm really trying hard to complete a few games at a time, and not try to have 6 going at once!

A question on Zuma though, for the experts: a friend is playing it and was going nuts trying to beat level 9 - finally beat the stage 9-5, and it said the stage was cleared, but then the next level that came up was level 4. Looking at the Achievement board, it shows level 9 as still locked - plus it shows another possible level after that (Secret Temple of Zuma, I think it was)...

Anyone know what happened - or how to get further? :?

I have made it TO level 9-5 but never past it. I just got past level 8 last week so I haven't had much time to get through 9. I would assume that there are seven stages in level 9 though since there are 7 in levels 7 and 8 and the number of stages go in threes (level 1, 2, 3 have 5 stages, 4, 5, 6 have 6 stages, 7, 8 and probably 9 have 7 stages) If it jumped to level 4 after stage 9-5 then it was probably a glitch. I'll let you know if/when I beat 9-5.

I just finished Tony Hawk's American Wasteland story mode (well my son did anyway). Now I have to work on classic mode. I'm currently on the American campaigns in Call of Duty 2, working towards finishing up Kameo and continuing my season in NHL 2K6.

Kameo's coop was done rather stupidly. You have to unlock levels by playing them in single player, and you don't get all of the levels to unlock, just a select few.

Yikes, Turtle (and Dimmona mentioned it too) - that IS really stupid. If you got someone else to unlock the levels, so you wouldn't have to do it first, it would be more like a true co-op I guess. Hmmm... MasterMagic, have you unlocked all of Kameo yet, lol? I might be looking to steal a save from you! 'Course I'd still have to get a damn memory card, grrr... :evil:

Markus - thanks! I'll forward the info to the poor frustrated gamer, lol. If it was a glitch - or some kind of weird operator error, yikes... I know someone who's head is going to - as we all love to say - asplode! :shock:

Logged

Mytocles (MY-toe-cleez)

"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!"- I don't remember who said it, and probably neither do they...

i've finished Kameo, PDZ, and the Steel level of PGR3 so far. i'm currently working my way through the hardcore stages of PGR3, as well as playing a lot of Jade Empire. if they ever improve the emulation for Ninja Gaiden: Black, i plan on starting that one soon.

i'm loving my 360 so far...i think all the 360 games have been great, and i'm having fun catching up on a few older games that work with BC as well